One Slick 1971 Jeepster Commando

The Manno family Commando is far from the clunky old Jeep it was when they first picked it up. The rig is now a very comfortable and capable 4x4 that's highway-friendly and great for knocking around town.

The Manno family Commando is far from the clunky old Jeep it was when they first picked it

Some of the coolest rigs we run across start out as hammered old 4x4s that were never intended to be the trick machines they are today. Frank Manno of Boulder City, Nevada, only wanted his '71 Jeep Commando for driving around town, running errands after work, and as a project to tinker with after he retired. He never had any aspirations to build it into the slick off-road machine it is today. It just happened.

Commandos aren't the most common vehicles on the trail, and parts for them are even scarcer. But that's what makes them unique and intriguing. Although this isn't a hardcore rockcrawler, it has been turned into a very capable and reliable rig that takes Frank and his family on weekend adventures and leisurely putts around Boulder City and through Nevada's vast expanses of desert.

We found Frank at the Vegas Valley Four Wheelers 30th Annual Hump N Bump, where he and the Jeep were ready to hit some of the trails with family and friends.

Tech Specs
1971 Jeepster Commando
Drivetrain
Engine: Chevy 4.3L V-6
Transmission: 4L60
Transfer case: Dana 300 LoMax 4.1 gears
Front Axle: Dana 44, ARB Air Locker, 4.56 gears
Rear Axle: Dana 44, ARB Air Locker, Warn full-floater conversion, 4.56 gears

Suspension
Springs & Such: Alcan leaf springs and Bilstein 5150 shocks front and rear
Tires & Wheels: 285/75R16 Toyo Open Country M/T, 16X81/2 Stockton wheels
Other Stuff: Vintage Air heating and A/C system, Auto Meter gauges, Warn 9.5ti winch, Woody's front and rear bumpers, boxed frame, B&M shifter, custom rollcage, custom aluminum radiator, custom steel fuel tank

A 4.3L Chevy V-6 engine from a '99 Chevy Blazer was installed in the Jeep's engine compartment. The 200hp Chevy engine is far more efficient than the old Jeep engine, and it's mated to a 4L60E transmission and a Dana 300 transfer case fitted with a low-range 4.1 LoMax gearset.
A 4.3L Chevy V-6 engine from a '99 Chevy Blazer was installed in the Jeep's engine compart
The factory axles were discarded, and Frank picked up a front and rear Dana 44 axle from his brother-in-law. Both axles were fitted with ARB Air Lockers and 4.56 gears. The old worn leaf springs were swapped out and a comfortable riding set of Alcan leaf springs was installed, which also gives the Jeepster more flex and articulation off-road.
The factory axles were discarded, and Frank picked up a front and rear Dana 44 axle from h
Sitting in the cab of the Commando is similar to being belted into a fancy hot rod with comfortable appointments and safety gear. The only difference between the two is that the Jeepster is used as it should be, not pampered too badly, and driven on the trail.
Sitting in the cab of the Commando is similar to being belted into a fancy hot rod with co